Let's See The XS's

- nice straight B model ... here in europe they were issued with 2 x 267mm front discs and with an option for a 2.15 x 19 front rim
 
Im not sure if i want to chop it or not. I really want a clean bobber to ride but it looks cool stock too. Plus i never built a bike before so i would be lost along the process. so as it stands the decision is just a coin toss. Its easy to chop but hard to put back to stock. What should i do?
 
Mattx2 said:
Im not sure if i want to chop it or not. I really want a clean bobber to ride but it looks cool stock too. Plus i never built a bike before so i would be lost along the process. so as it stands the decision is just a coin toss. Its easy to chop but hard to put back to stock. What should i do?
Click to expand...

well since you've asked...I say leave that bike stock and restore it or just clean it up. If you want to chop, find a junkier bike, and maybe a Special.

I've thought a lot about this since having hardtailed my 80 Special - (which had rear end damage and was lots uglier than that Standard). Not saying I wouldn't do it again to mine (since it did have a messed up back end anyway) but I think I would not chop a relatively nice stock bike.

I'm thinking there are plenty of uglier bikes out there that would be better candidates. Of course its a free country and no one can tell you not to chop, but that's my .02.

have fun whatever you do!
:)
 
- yep...i agree, these are argueably the nicest of the models and this one looks pretty straight, good ones are sooner or later going to hard to get and there are plenty of rats about...although, i would like a mint XS1...of course its all your choice
 
Cool, all good advice.

Ill keep it stock and find a junk bike to cut on. plus if i mess up then its not on bike i care about. I do really like the classic look of it too.
thanks for the help.
 
Hey LosD
The coolest bikes aren't always the ground up builds, but sometimes the bikes that someone has ridden for awhile and modified to suit them, or just modified enough to keep running. Do you know anything about the red XS1 on your friend's blog? Or better yet some good pics? Looks pretty cool!:thumbsup:
 
Yeah, I really appreciate the character of each dent in my tank, and currently have no desire to make this bike pretty. Don't get me wrong, I look forward to having a shiny build someday, just not this bike.

I actually don't know who's XS1 that is, I didn't get to go on that trip and I'm not sure who rode with them that day. I will promise you this, I'll get some shots of it next time I see it and post 'em for you. Cheers.
 
gordonscott said:
Thats it yamaman! I'm cutting up my "77" into a "cafe" today, you conviced me :laugh:
Click to expand...

Cool, can I sponsor you with a few sawzall blades & a new oxy cutting tip? :D

Yeah, I'll admit it, mines a std, and it's been pretty radicaly modded, nearly to the point of no return.

I don't have a problem with bikes getting the chop, but I just feel it's important to make sure newbies have as much info as they can about it all before the sawzall comes out.
The last thing you want to hear is "ok, I've cut the back off my bike, where can I get a weld on hardtail that attaches to the steering head"!

I often have a look at the 650chopper site, & I see a lot of top work there. The standard of a lot of those bikes (& your own work) is top notch! Very hard though for some others to build to that std, or even have the foresight to want to achieve that std.

So if someone wants to chop a mint 650C, that's well & good with me, just as long as it's a well planned & executed build that's going to be around for a while. All you can ask is that people research their builds & question their own aproach. If I can help people do that, then that's my bit done! I think there's a few of us who think this way, & I'd like to think that we've saved at least a few "sawzall disasters" along the way! :cheers:
 
yamaman said:
The last thing you want to hear is "ok, I've cut the back off my bike, where can I get a weld on hardtail that attaches to the steering head"!
Click to expand...

Yeah, but that's the difference between a newb and a moron. It doesn't seem like there's anybody here quite that dense, then again, maybe I haven't been here long enough to witness something like that.
 
Thanks Danno, "The Troublemaker" is my first XS project and I learned a lot. I'm working on #2 in between a TL1000R SF project. So far I've put the motor back together with the 750, cam, etc. I'm making a tracker style seat out of aluminum. All the visible welds on the frame have been bronze brazed and sanded, unnecessary tabs and rear cut, I think when it is done, there will be paint on the gas can and powder coat on the frame, swinger. lower tree and other small bits. I got a very cool scrambler style pipe from GordonScott that I'm looking forward seeing and hearing on the bike.
 
I completed this project several years ago. and have put only 81 miles on the bike.
It started as an 83 Special. I added a rear swing arm and brake from an XS500 so I could have disc brake on the rear, front wheel from XS1100,(lighter) Mac exhaust, Hot wing seat. The tires are Dunlops, the battery box was fab'ed from sheet aluminum. Due reliability problems with the stock TCI boxes, this has been converted back to points ignition. New chain and sprockets, Front fork brace. Stock carbs with K&Ns rejetted. The entire engine was rebuild and all of the typical parts were replaced. Titled California. I am not really sure what is worth and would like to have some feedback from some members here. I know I put a lot of time and money into it, but that is the fun of these things and I really want to have fun on another one. Someone help me out here. What are these worth? Thanks New menber.
 

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Here's my '75:
bike2.jpg


Torn down now for an engine and fork rebuild. I'll probably fabricate a bigger fender while I'm at it, this one gets me much too muddy. The antler mirrors need to go as well.
 

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